Whicker: Jordan Lasley, UCLA footballl team still have points to prove

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UCLA Bruins wide receiver Jordan Lasley (2) runs for a first down against Colorado Buffaloes in the second half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017. UCLA Bruins won 27-23. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

UCLA Bruins celebrate with fans as they defeated the Colorado Buffaloes 27-23 during a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

UCLA Bruins tight end Austin Roberts (88) reacts after catching a pass for a touchdown against Colorado Buffaloes in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

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UCLA Bruins defensive back Octavius Spencer (18) intercept a Colorado Buffaloes pass and goes out of bounds to end the game as the UCLA Bruins defeated the Colorado Buffaloes 27-23 during a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

UCLA Bruins defensive back Octavius Spencer (18) intercept a Colorado Buffaloes pass and goes out of bounds to end the game as the UCLA Bruins defeated the Colorado Buffaloes 27-23 during a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

UCLA Bruins defensive back Octavius Spencer (18) intercept a Colorado Buffaloes pass and goes out of bounds to end the game as the UCLA Bruins defeated the Colorado Buffaloes 27-23 during a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

UCLA Bruins defensive back Will Lockett (23) celebrates with fans as the UCLA Bruins defeated the Colorado Buffaloes 27-23 during a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

UCLA Bruins celebrate with fans as they defeated the Colorado Buffaloes 27-23 during a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

UCLA Bruins wide receiver Jordan Lasley (2) runs for a first down against Colorado Buffaloes in the second half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017. UCLA Bruins won 27-23. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

UCLA Bruins tight end Austin Roberts (88) catches a pass for a touchdown past Colorado Buffaloes defensive back Ryan Moeller (25) in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

UCLA Bruins tight end Austin Roberts (88) catches a pass for a touchdown against Colorado Buffaloes in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

UCLA Bruins wide receiver Jordan Lasley (2) runs for a first down past Colorado Buffaloes defensive back Nick Fisher (7) in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Steven Montez (12) scrambles as he is tackled by UCLA Bruins linebacker Krys Barnes (14) in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) passes against Colorado Buffaloes in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

Colorado Buffaloes defensive back Isaiah Oliver (26) breaks up a pass intended for UCLA Bruins wide receiver Jordan Lasley (2) in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen in the first half of a NCAA college football game against the Colorado Buffaloes at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

Colorado Buffaloes running back Phillip Lindsay (23) runs for a touchdown past UCLA Bruins linebacker Josh Woods (2) in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

UCLA defensive back Darnay Holmes (1) along with head coach Jim Mora watches the video board as he was ejected from the game for targeting against the Colorado Buffaloes in the 1st quarter of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

Colorado Buffaloes running back Phillip Lindsay (23) celebrates with teammate wide receiver Devin Ross (2) after running for touchdown against the UCLA Bruins in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

UCLA Bruins defensive back Darnay Holmes (1) tackles Colorado Buffaloes running back Phillip Lindsay (23) in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

UCLA Bruins wide receiver Jordan Lasley (2) is upended by Colorado Buffaloes defensive back Trey Udoffia (8) after catching a pass for a first down in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

Colorado Buffaloes running back Alex Fontenot (8) runs for a first down against the UCLA Bruins ain the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Steven Montez (12) scrambles against the UCLA Bruins in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

UCLA Bruins wide receiver Jordan Lasley (2) runs fora first down past Colorado Buffaloes defensive back Trey Udoffia (8) in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

UCLA defensive back Darnay Holmes (1) watches the video board as he was ejected from the game for targeting against the Colorado Buffaloes in the 1st quarter of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) scrambles against the Colorado Buffaloes in the second half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017. UCLA Bruins won 27-23. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

UCLA Bruins running back Soso Jamabo (1) dives for the touchdown against the Colorado Buffaloes in the second half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017. UCLA Bruins won 27-23. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

UCLA Bruins running back Soso Jamabo (1) reacts as teammate offensive lineman Scott Quessenberry (52) pulls his jersey after running for a touchdown against the Colorado Buffaloes in the second half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017. UCLA Bruins won 27-23. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

Colorado Buffaloes running back Phillip Lindsay (23) is tackled fora loss of yards UCLA Bruins defensive back Adarius Pickett (6) in the second half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017. UCLA Bruins won 27-23. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

UCLA Bruins tight end Caleb Wilson (81) runs fora first down as Colorado Buffaloes defensive back Evan Worthington (6) makes the tackle in the second half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017. UCLA Bruins won 27-23. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Jay MacIntyre (14) drops a p[ass in the end zone past UCLA Bruins defensive back Jaleel Wadood (4) in the second half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017. UCLA Bruins won 27-23. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

Colorado Buffaloes defensive back Evan Worthington (6) intercepts a UCLA Bruins pass in the second half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017. UCLA Bruins won 27-23. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Steven Montez (12) passes against the UCLA Bruins in the second half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017. UCLA Bruins won 27-23. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Steven Montez (12) scrambles against the UCLA Bruins in the second half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017. UCLA Bruins won 27-23. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) walks past teammate offensive lineman Najee Toran (69) in the second half of a NCAA college football game against the Colorado Buffaloes at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017. UCLA Bruins won 27-23. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

Colorado Buffaloes running back Phillip Lindsay (23) runs fora first down against the UCLA Bruins in the second half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017. UCLA Bruins won 27-23. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

Lose one, people turn away. Lose two, and lose your chance to get into the College Football Playoff, and you get written off quicker than lunch with a lobbyist.

The view from the bleachers and the suites is that only four teams, at season’s end, have the right to post photos. The rest of them fail.

But the schedules must be fulfilled and the tickets must be sold, and in some cases the pro scouts must be impressed. UCLA got embarrassed at Memphis State and crushed at Stanford and its ultimate hopes are in the dumpster. Saturday night, the Bruins played on.

UCLA topped Colorado, 27-23, in the Rose Bowl and now gets a week off to contemplate where a 3-2 team goes from here. There were harlequin moments, as usual, like when cornerback Darnay Holmes got tossed for targeting, and when the Bruins called a timeout and still ran 12 men out on the field on defense.

“Sometimes it comes down to a word,” defensive coordinator Tom Bradley said. “We have so many groupings. We have a Big Corner package and a Big Nickel package, and maybe some heard one thing and some heard another. Maybe we ought to use different words.”

But then there were times when UCLA was calmly professional, like when Bradley’s defense held Colorado to a 4-for-16 conversion rate on third down even though the Buffaloes gained 6.9 yards per clip on first down.

And like when Josh Rosen, known for rapid-fire brilliance, oozed the Bruins from their own 8-yard line to Colorado’s 13. The drive began with 6:39 left and ended with J.J. Molson’s field goal with 26 seconds left, and it drained all the timeouts from Colorado.

The memorable play was a 7-yard gain by Soso Jamabo when UCLA had third-and-6, and needed one more first down to back the Buffs into a corner. It was also the only third-down situation on the drive. No penalties, no mishaps, from a team that traditionally develops a severe fourth-quarter cough.

Rosen also hit Jordan Lasley twice for first downs, and Lasley wound up with seven catches for 146 yards.

Last week Lasley had 158 yards at Stanford. He was the guy whose catch finished UCLA’s self-excavation against Texas A&M. His trust level with Rosen is rising by the quarter.

“He’s insanely, absurdly competitive,” Rosen said. “Every rep in practice is like his last. He’s learned, like D.A. (Darren Andrews) has, how to walk that line between competitiveness and recklessness, find that fine edge.

“He was the guy during the A&M game who was going to refuse to accept that we were going to lose, and he made sure everybody knew it.”

If you’ll recall, the Bruins were down by 34 points in that opener that followed a 4-8 debacle in 2016. Sometimes a season gets late early.

“I remember getting up at halftime and telling the offense, ‘I didn’t work this hard for three weeks of training camp so we could get blown out in our home opener,’’ Lasley recalled. “Jaleel (Wadood) was telling the defense the same thing. We had to keep our boys in the game, to keep believing. It was loud in there but it wasn’t out of hand.”

One might think Lasley learned to belch that fire when he was playing at Serra in Gardena, surrounded by many future USC Trojans and a whole firmament of 4 and 5-stars.

That helped, he said.

“But you can ask anybody at home,” Lasley said. “I think I had that competitiveness coming out of the womb. I was the kid that would lose basketball games and be crying. My parents will tell you I’m the sorest loser they’ve ever seen. I still have that passion but I have to make sure I direct it toward a good cause.”

The defense found a cause, somewhere in the rubble of 58 points at Stanford. It got bamboozled Saturday by Colorado quarterback Steven Montez on the option a few times, and it gave up some needless yards, but it permitted only two touchdowns.

Kenny Young, the last man on campus to wear No. 42 in any sport, was unavoidable with nine solo tackles.

“They had some pretty wide gaps in their line,” said Rick Wade, the defensive end, “and he (Montez) looked for the gaps. He was athletic, but we knew if we got after him his completion percentage would go down. I thought we made him uncomfortable.”

Discomfort is part of the territory with UCLA football. Disinterest is not.